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North County RFA reports staffing levels, new ALS interlocal and levy plan; two stations need replacement, agency says
Summary
North County Regional Fire Authority reported that Stations 46 and 48 in Arlington were the busiest in the first quarter and announced a new interlocal agreement with Fire District 21 to co‑staff medic 46 daily beginning June 1; the RFA also plans a levy lid‑lift to raise the levy from $1.32 to $1.50 per $1,000 assessed value.
Dave Gasky, representing North County Regional Fire Authority (RFA), presented the RFA’s first‑quarter report and highlighted staffing, mutual‑aid balances, new ALS arrangements and upcoming levy planning.
Gasky said the RFA staffed Station 96 (near the Skagit County line) 60 of 90 days during the quarter and that Stations 46 and 48 in Arlington were the busiest (Station 48: 1,348 calls; Station 46: 824 calls). The RFA recorded 1,320 patient transports during the period, with Cascade Valley Hospital receiving the highest number of transports (562), followed by Providence Everett and Skagit facilities.
Gasky announced a new interlocal agreement with Fire District 21 for advanced life‑support services: the district will hire four paramedics and the agencies will co‑staff medic 46 each day, starting June 1, which Gasky said will ensure Station 46 has five personnel daily. He described the agreement as restoring a consistent daily dedicated presence at Station 46 after a period of strained relations and discussions about District 21 starting its own ALS service.
The RFA said it onboarded a second community health worker funded by North Sound Accountable Communities of Health (North Sound ACH); the ACH committed up to $300,000 per year for as many as three years to support the position. Gasky said the RFA will use the additional capability to expand community health work.
Gasky said the RFA will run a levy lid‑lift election Tuesday, Aug. 5, asking voters to increase the levy from $1.32 to $1.50 per $1,000 assessed value (an 18¢ increase). He said the levy is on the regular six‑year cycle and that public messaging and outreach will ramp up. Gasky also summarized a facility study that recommends Stations 96 and 90 be replaced rather than remodeled, noting Station 96 was built in 1968 and Station 90 was originally a volunteer apparatus building.
Gasky listed other operational items: mutual aid balances with Camano Island and Marysville, two fire engines on order with deliveries more than a year out, EMS unit orders (including a remount), wildland season preparations, ongoing recruitment and updating the RFA five‑year strategic plan and annual report. He said the RFA will pause hiring certain administrative positions until levy election results are known.
The transcript records the briefing and council appreciation comments; no council vote or formal action on the levy or the interlocal agreement is recorded in the provided transcript.
